Primary Children's Center receives $1 million from Smith's

Primary Children's Medical Center Foundation has received a $1 million donation from Smith's Food & Drug Stores.

The contribution is a result of fundraising efforts with customers in 56 stores in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. Proceeds also came from the annual Smith's vendor golf tournament and employee-hosted special events. The donation brings Smith's to a total contribution level of $8.6 million given to the hospital since 1992.

On June 18, Smith's stores celebrated their second $1 million annual gift to the hospital by offering cookies and cake to customers to thank them for their support of the fund raising campaign.

Throughout April and May, Smith's customers supported store-level fundraising activities such as hot dog sales, carnivals, scan cards and silent auctions. Community-wide events organized by Smith's associates included motorcycle runs, a 5K race, an outdoor festival, a Beatles revival concert and bike rodeo. The total also includes change collected from coin boxes at check out stands.

In 2010, Primary Children's Medical Center expended more than $12.4 million to cover 13,587 hospital visits by needy children. Smith's has been a long-standing supporter of the hospital's charity care program as well as programs that assist families cared for at Primary Children's.

Since 1992, Smith's has contributed $8.6 million to further the hospital's mission of caring for children battling cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, prematurity, and many other illnesses and injuries.

"Surely we cannot begin to express our depth of gratitude to Smith's Food & Drug and its customers for the impact their support has on children and families at Primary Children's Medical Center," said Joe Mott, chief executive officer. "This incredible $1 million contribution is an expression of Smith's investment in the future by helping to make Primary Children's one of the finest children's hospital in the country."

Smith's is a division of the Kroger Co., one of the nation's largest retail grocers. From its division office in Salt Lake City, Smith's 13,000 associates serve customers in 133 stores throughout seven western states including 47 stores in Utah. Smith's charitable giving, in partnership with 13,000 associates, generous customers and suppliers, totaled $9 million in cash and food products to local organizations in 2010.

For more information visit www.smithsfoodanddrug.com.